Door assembly including insert storing means

ABSTRACT

In a door assembly of the type including a core sandwiched between a pair of one piece panels and an opening in the upper part of the door for accepting a frame which receives removable screen and glass inserts, the core and frame are arranged so that the inserts may be stored in the bottom part of the door. The inserts and frame cooperate to retain decorative panels and/or edgings and the like.

[ June 24, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Mennuto 2,559,005 7/1951 Brownet a1. 160/33 1 DOOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING INSERT STORING MEANS 2,702,5952/1955 Rumbaugh et 160/90 3,599,703 8/1971 Mennuto et a1. 160/90 PrimaryExaminerPhilip C. Kannan Attorney, Agent, or FirmAnthony F. Cuoco 22Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT In a door assembly of the type including a core sandwichedbetween a pair of one piece panels and an opening in the upper part ofthe door for accepting a frame which receives removable screen and glassinserts, the core and frame are arranged so that the inu "3 n U O Mb .0r. a nS .l .f C smfm UIF 3 1 0 0 555 [56] References Cited serts may bestored in the bottom part of the door. UNITED STATES PATENTS The insertsand frame cooperate to retain decorative panels and/or edgings and thelike.

1.507.158 9/1924 Casey 160/37 2 511 108 6/1950 Hansen 160/37 X 5 Claims,5 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN 24 I975 SHEET 'FIG. 4

FIG. I

PATENTEDJIJN 24 I975 SHEET FIG. 2B

PATENTEDJUN24 I975 SHEET FIG. 3

1 DOOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING INSERT STORING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generallyto-doors and particularly to doors having removable screen and glassinserts. More particularly, this invention relates to an arrangementwherein the inserts are stored in the door when not in use.

2. Description of the Prior Art Doors of the type including a pair ofpanels separated by a core and having removable screen and glassinserts, are described in US. Pat. No. 3,599,703 issued on Aug. I7, 1971to A. Mennuto and N. Popovich and an improvement thereon described inUS. Pat. No. 3,727,664 issued on Apr. I7, 1973 to A. Mennuto. Adesirable feature in these doors is to provide means for storing theinserts i.e., storing the glass insert during the summer and the screeninsert during the winter to prevent damage and/or breakage. Priorstorage arrangements for doors having such inserts have included slidingarrangements such as described in US. Pat. No. 2,702,595 issued toRumbaugh, et al. on Feb. 22, 1955 and roll-up arrangements such asdescribed in US. Pat. No. 2,51 l,l08 issued to Hansen on June 13, I950.The obvious disadvantages of these arrangements include the addition ofthe required mechanism and the resulting increased cost of the door.Additionally, the prior art doors do not have the interchangeability andappearance features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention contemplates a door assemblyincluding a core sandwiched between a pair of one piece panels. Theupper portion of the panel and core sandwich has an opening whichaccepts a frame, and which frame has top, bottom and side members forretaining screen and glass inserts in the opening defined thereby. Thetop and side members of the frame are stationary and the bottom memberis removable for exposing a channel formed by the core in the bottomportion of the door and which channel receives the inserts inselfstoring fashion. The frame and the inserts cooperate to supportdecorative panels, grills, edgings or the like as may be desired.

One object of this invention is to provide a door of the type includinga core sandwiched between a pair of one piece panels and a frame forretaining portions of the panels to define an opening in the door whichaccepts screen and glass inserts, and wherein the frame is adapted forexposing a channel formed by the core for storing the inserts.

Another object of this invention is to arrange the frame so that top andside members are stationary and the bottom member is removable forexposing the insert storing channel formed by the core.

Another object of this invention is to arrange the frame and inserts forcooperatively supporting decorative members and the like in the opening.

These and other objects and featuresof the invention are pointed out inthe following description in-terms of the embodiments thereof shown inthe. accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are not a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had to the appended claims for this purpose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of adoor of the type embodying the features of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 andshowing the bottom member of the frame retaining a glass insert, withsaid frame and insert cooperating to support a decorative edging, and ascreen insert stored according to the invention.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1 andshowing the bottom member of the frame retaining the screen insert, withsaid frame and insert cooperating to support a decorative edging, andthe glass insert stored according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric end sectional view showing the bottom framemember and a side frame member arranged for supporting the screeninsert, with said frame and insert cooperating to support a decorativeedging, and the glass insert stored according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned view showing the decorative edging ofFIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 arranged with a weather stripping channel as may bedesired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows an installation structure 2having a pair of side members 2A and 2B commonly known in the art andhereinafter referred to as Z-bars. Structure 2 has an upper member orraincap 2C extending across the top and suitably secured to Z-bars 2Aand 2B.

A door assembly 4 is hinged by hinges 6 to one of the Z-bars such as theZ-bar 28. Door assembly 4 includes a one piece panel 4A shown in FIG. 1,a one piece panel 48 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 and a core 8 sandwichedbetween said panels 4A and 413 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3. The lowerportions of panels 4A and 413 include embossed designs such as thecrossbucks l0, and which lower portions otherwise serve as kickplates.Alternately, the bottom portions of the panels may be flat and suitabledesigns may be fastened thereto. The upper portions of the panelsinclude rectangular openings which cooperate upon assembly to formopening 12 shown in FIG. 1. Opening 12 receives a rectangular frame 14having top and bottom members 14A and 148, respectively, and sidemembers 14C and 14D. Top member 14A and side members 14C and 14D may besuitably keyed or otherwise fastened together so as to be stationary.Bottom member 148 is removably arranged therewith for purposes to behereinafter described. The frame members may be of rigid vinyl or of ametal such as aluminum. Members 14A, 14C and 14D may each have likesections as illustrated in FIG. 3 and member 148 has a section as shownin FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3.

Core 8 may include suitable separators, structural members andinsulating members, and may further include a top cap, bottom cap andside caps for supporting panels 4A and 413. All of the aforenotedmembers and caps may be of suitable materials commensurate with designand cost features, and may be non-metallic when thermal properties aredesired or metallic when structural considerations are of primeimportance. A core of this type is described in the aforenoted US. Pat.No. 3,599,703.

With reference now to FIG. 2A, a screen insert is designated by thenumeral 20 and may be of a material similar to that of frame 14. Insert20 is a rigid rectangular element having top, bottom and a pair of sidemembers. Each of the members has a section such as that designated as 22in the figure.

Section 22 is generally U-shaped having a pair of parallel legs 24 and26 and a base 28. Leg 26 extends longitudinally beyond base 28 andterminates in an inwardly extending arm 30. Arm 30 cooperates with base28 to form a channel shaped section 32 which retains a screen 34 througha rod shaped spline 36 of vinyl or such other suitable material asdescribed in the aforenoted US. Pat. Nos. 3,599,703 and 3,726,664.

Screen insert is shown in FIG. 2A as stored according to the invention.To this end core 8 is arranged to provide a channel 21 for receiving theinsert with sufficient clearance. Core 8 may include a bottom member(not shown) for supporting screen insert 20, the same being understoodin view of the core arrangement shown in the aforenoted US. Pat. No.3,599,703.

With screen insert 20 so stored, U-shaped section 22 extends abovepanels 4A and 48, while C-shaped section 32 is between said panels. Inthis connection it is noted that the channel formed by legs 24 and 26and base 28 of the U-shaped section may be shouldered at 38, 40, 42, 44for retaining a key (not shown) whereby the insert members may besecured to each other to form a rigid insert as is well known in theart.

Frame member 148 is shown as having an inverted U-shaped section 46which includes a base 48 and a pair of parallel legs 50 and 52 of equallength. A shorter leg 54 extends beyond base 48 in a direction oppositeand substantially parallel to leg 50 and a still shorter leg 56 extendsbeyond the base in the direction of leg 54. Leg 56 is actually anextension of leg 52. Legs 54 and 56 together with base 48 form a channel58. Leg 56 is shorter than leg 54 to facilitate insert installation aswill become evident.

With screen insert 20 stored as shown in FIG. 2A and frame members 14A,14C and 14D arranged in opening 12 in door 4 (FIG. 1 channel 46 ofbottom frame member 148 is disposed over section 22 of screen insert 20,with frame member 48 being thereupon adjacent nodes and 27 of legs 24and 26 of insert member 22. It will be understood that the dimensions ofthe door are such that when section 22 is so positioned ends 4C and 4Dof panels 4A and 4B, respectively, are near the inner surfaces of legs50 and 52 as shown in the figure.

With further reference to FIG. 2A, a glass insert 60 is rectangular inshape and includes top, bottom and a pair of side members. Each memberhas a section such as that designated as 62 in the figure. Insert 60 maybe of the same material as frame 14 and insert 20.

Section 62 is substantially U-shaped with a pair of parallel legs 64 and66 and a base 68. Legs 64 and 66 terminate in nodes 70 and 72,respectively, and which nodes extend beyond base 68. The nodes areadjacent the upper surface of base 48 of frame member section 46 betweenlegs 54 and 56 and, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, aredisposed toward leg 56 of frame member section 46.

Legs 64 and 66 are divided by ledges 74 and 76, respectively, and whichledges support a glass pane 80. Glass pane 80 is carried in a U-shapedtrack or channel 82 which may be of vinyl or some other such suitablematerial, and includes outside serrations 84 or the like for engagingmating serrations 86 on the inside of legs 64 and 66 above ledges 74 and76, whereby channel 82 is locked in position.

The glass insert members are suitably keyed through keys (not shown)carried in the channel defined by base 68 and legs 64 and 66 belowledges 74 and 76 to provide a rigid insert. The insert is held inposition by a clamp (not shown) secured to frame 14 and insert 60 tofacilitate assembly and disassembly as is known in the art. Inconsideration of the weight of insert 60, the lower portions of legs 64and 66 carry external serrations or the like 88 to facilitate grippingthe insert when removing the insert from storage as is more evident withreference to FIG. 2B.

A decorative insert 90 which may carry a grill or panel 92 is retainedbetween leg 64 of glass insert section 62 and leg 54 of frame insertsection 46 so as to be in front of the insert. Insert 90 is likewise arectangular element which may be of the same material as frame 14 andinserts 20 and 60, and has top, bottom and a pair of side members eachof which has a section 93 as shown in the figure.

Section 93 has a substantially T-shaped portion with a cross member 94terminating in upwardly extending arms 96 and 98 which form a channel 99for retaining panel 92. Base 100 of the T-shaped portion of section 93terminates in an inwardly extending C-shaped portion 102 and the bottomof C-shaped portion 102 terminates in an outwardly extending C-shapedportion 104. C-shaped portion 104 is disposed between legs 54 of section46 and 64 of section 62 and adjacent the upper surface of base 48,whereby insert 90 is retained in door opening 12 (FIG. 1).

Section 93 includes an arm 106 which extends parallel and in spacedrelation to arm 98, and extends below cross-bar 94 for forming a channel108 with C-shaped portion 102. Channel 108 and C-shaped portion 104carry weather stripping elements 111 and 113, respectively, which may beof wool piling as shown or some other such suitable material. C-shapedportion 102 carries a suitable key or the like (not shown) whereby themembers of insert 90 are secured each to the other to form a rigidinsert.

With reference now to FIG. 2B wherein glass insert 60 is shown storedaccording to the invention, the portions of legs 64 and 66 of glassinsert section 62 below ledges 74 and 76 are disposed between ends 4Cand 4D of panels 4A and 48, respectively. The portions of the legs abovethe ledges extend beyond the panel ends and are adjacent the lowersurface of base 48.

Screen insert section 22 rests on cross bar 48 of frame member section46 and near leg 56 thereof. Decorative insert 90, carrying member 92, isretained between leg 26 of screen insert section 22 and leg 54 of frameinsert section 46 as heretofore described with reference to FIG. 2A.

With reference now to FIG. 3, glass insert 60 is shown stored accordingto the invention and as described in detail in FIG. 2B. Insert 46 offrame member 14B is disposed over section 62 of glass insert member 60.Screen insert member 20 is retained intermediate legs 54 and 56 ofsection 46, being disposed toward end 56.

FIG. 3 further shows a section of side frame member 14C, and whichsection may be similar to the sections of frame members 14A and 14D asheretofore noted. The section includes an H-shaped portion having a leg112, a cross member 114 and a leg 116 extending parallel to leg 112 andbeyond base member 114. Legs 112 and 116 have shoulders 118 and 120,respectively,

at the bottoms thereof for retaining ends 4E and 4F of panels 4A and 48,respectively, and in this respect the arrangement is similar to thatdescribed in the aforenoted U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,703. The sections ofpanels 4A and 4B beyond portion 110 are separated by core 8 as shown inthe figure.

Frame members 14A, 14C and 14D are suitably keyed or otherwise affixedto each other and may be arranged in miter joint fashion as shown inFIG. 1 or in butt joint fashion as will be understood by those skilledin the art. Removable frame member 148 is arranged in butt joint fashionwith the side frame members, and is shown so arranged with frame member14C in FIG. 3. Thus, the bottom end of leg 116 of section 110 of framemember 14C rests atop end 4C of panel 4A. Leg 54 of the H-shaped sectionextends transversely and abutts the edge of leg 116. In this connectionit will be understood that bottom frame member 14B when so positionedspreads side members 14C and 14D apart for supporting side members 14Cand 14D in rigid fash- A scalloped edging or the like 122 is retained byframe 14 and insert as shown in FIG. 3. Edging 122 is disposed in frontof insert 20 intermediate the insert and leg 54 of frame member section46 and leg 116 of frame member section 14C, with the edging beingretained by corresponding elements of frame members 14A and 14D as willnow be understood. When screen insert 20 is in storage and glass insert60 is in use, edging 122 will be similarly retained by correspondinglegs 116 of the top and side frame members, leg 54 of the bottom framemember and legs 64 or 66 of glass insert member 20, as the case may be.

FIG. 4 shows edging 122 retained in a suitable weather stripping channel124 which may be of vinyl or some other such suitable material. In thiscase, the vinyl channel is retained between the insert and frame memberelements as aforenoted and carries deformable external serrations or thelike 126 which aid in rendering the edging stationary as will now beunderstood.

As best shown in FIG. 3, edging 122 bevels toward screen 34 or glass 80as the case may be, to give a pleasing appearance as is often desired.

It will now be seen that the aforenoted objects of the invention havebeen met. Frame 14 includes stationary top and side members and aremovable bottom member for exposing the insert storing channel formedby core 8. The frame and inserts are arranged for cooperativelysupporting decorative members and the like in door opening 12. Theimproved door herein disclosed satisfies a need wherein the removablescreen and glass inserts are stored when one or the other is not in use.This is accomplished without the addition of costly hardware andsatisfies a standing need in the art in a manner which does not detractfrom the appearance of the door.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the inventionis not limited thereto. Various changes may also be made in the designand arrangement of the parts without departing from the scope and spiritof the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled inthe art.

What is claimed is:

1. In a door assembly of the type including a pair of panels and a coresandwiched between the panels, the panels having portions which surrounda substantially rectangular opening in the upper part of the door, and aframe adjacent the panel portions for defining the opening and forsupporting a removable insert therein. the improvement comprising:

the frame including top, bottom and a pair of side members adjacentcorresponding panel portions for defining the opening and for supportingthe removable insert therein, the top and side members are stationary inthe opening and the bottom frame member is removable for exposing aportion of the core in the lower part of the door and which removableframe member separates the upper and lower parts of the door;

the exposed core portion arranged for providing a channel which receivesthe insert for storage when the insert is removed from the frame;

the stored insert is disposed between the panel portions adjacent thebottom frame member and includes a portion which extends beyond thepanel portions;

the bottom frame member includes a downwardly extending first channelportion and an upwardly extending second channel portion;

the first channel portion receives the portion of the stored insertwhich extends beyond said panel portions adjacent the bottom framemember, and is adjacent said insert and panel portions;

the second channel portion cooperates with the top and side framemembers for retaining an interchangeable second insert in the openingwhen the first mentioned insert is in storage; and

the second channel portion, top and side frame members and second insertcooperate to retain a decorative member in front of said insert when theinsert is retained in the opening.

2. A door assembly as described by claim 1, wherein:

the first channel portion includes a top member and a pair of downwardlyextending spaced side members;

the top member is adjacent said insert; and

the side members are adjacent said panel portions.

3. A door assembly as described by claim 1, wherein:

the second channel portion includes a bottom member and a pair ofupwardly extending spaced side members;

the second insert is adjacent the bottom member and near one of the sidemembers; and

the decorative member is disposed adjacent the bottom member and betweenthe second insert and the other side member.

4. A door assembly as described by claim 3, wherein:

one of the pair of upwardly extending side members is shorter than theother; and

the second insert is near the shorter side member.

5. A door as described by claim 1, wherein:

the bottom frame member spreads the side frame members apart forsupporting said members.

1. In a door assembly of the type including a pair of panels and a coresandwiched between the panels, the panels having portions which surrounda substantially rectangular opening in the upper part of the door, and aframe adjacent the panel portions for defining the opening and forsupporting a removable insert therein, the improvement comprising: theframe including top, bottom and a pair of side members adjacentcorresponding panel portions for defining the opening and for supportingthe removable insert therein, the top and side members are stationary inthe opening and the bottom frame member is removable for exposing aportion of the core in the lower part of the door and which removableframe member separates the upper and lower parts of the door; theexposed core portion arranged for providing a channel which receives theinsert for storage when the insert is removed from the frame; the storedinsert is disposed between the panel portions adjacent the bottom framemember and includes a portion which extends beyond the panel portions;the bottom frame member includes a downwardly extending first channelportion and an upwardly extending second channel portion; the firstchannel portion receives the portion of the stored insert which extendsbeyond said panel portions adjacent the bottom frame member, and isadjacent said insert and panel portions; the second channel portioncooperates with the top and side frame members for retaining aninterchangeable second insert in the opening when the first mentionedinsert is in storage; and the second channel portion, top and side framemembers and second insert cooperate to retain a decorative member infront of said insert when the insert is retained in the opening.
 2. Adoor assembly as described by claim 1, wherein: the first channelportion includes a top member and a pair of downwardly extending spacedside members; the top member is adjacent said insert; and the sidemembers are adjacent said panel portions.
 3. A door assembly asdescribed by claim 1, wherein: the second channel portion includes abottom member and a pair of upwardly extending spaced siDe members; thesecond insert is adjacent the bottom member and near one of the sidemembers; and the decorative member is disposed adjacent the bottommember and between the second insert and the other side member.
 4. Adoor assembly as described by claim 3, wherein: one of the pair ofupwardly extending side members is shorter than the other; and thesecond insert is near the shorter side member.
 5. A door as described byclaim 1, wherein: the bottom frame member spreads the side frame membersapart for supporting said members.